The importance of K-9 socialization

Socialization in the K-9 world is an important step that can't be overlooked. It's what will make your dog receptive to other dogs, people and situations.

It is recommended to start the process of socialization as early as possible, AFTER the first set of shots.

Right AFTER his first set of shots is the right time to start socialization

What is socialization?
Socialization is a process that is fun and enjoyable for both a puppy and his family. And it's quite simple too. Socialization consist of putting a puppy in front of positives new situations, i.e. meet other puppies and/or dogs (that are vaccinated), go to the store, the dog park, to a football/baseball/softball/soccer game, visit the vet office, enroll in a puppy class, etc.

A car ride is also considered as a socialization experience

But NOT that type of car ride!

 According to the AKC, researches have shown that there are crucial "socialization windows" of socialization during the 1st year of a puppy. Of those periods, the first 12 weeks are the most important. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) states that during that period of 12 weeks, sociability outweights fear, making that period the primary window of opportunity for puppies to adapt to new people, animals and experiences.

A visit to the dog park is a good activity to promote socialization

If you miss that window of opportunity, there is still time because the benefits of socialization will continue through (and beyond) the first 18 months of life of a dog. Be aware that it might require more work.

The socialization will make a dog a companion that will behave good in (mostly) any situation. And add training to socialization and you will developp a trusting relationship with your dog.



What happens when a dog is not socialized?
When a dog is not socialization as a puppy, later in his life, he could exhibit one, or all of these unwanted behaviors :

- Agressiveness and/or fear in presence of other dogs, people, situation;
- Walks might become a very hard activity, since the unsocializaed dog will not know how to react and he might pull a lot, be afraid of passing cars, dogs and people;
- Having friends and family over might be very stressful and bring aggression since the dog will have no where to go to fell protected;
- Show of agressiveness, nervous barks, defensive bites.

Is it too late for socializing?
But hope is not all lost, as so many dogs are showing us. Take puppymills breeder dogs, who have lived all their life in a cage, without human contact or seeing the sun. Take Michael Vicks dog-fight pit-bulls.

The examples are heart-breaking and there is plenty of them and they all show us that with time, trust, care and training, even a dog that had missed this important step in his development can become a great dog, a great friend.